// TAKING A MOMENT

//

I'm back in New York City after an hour of being held up at the border [I'm Canadian with a VISA], and two hours stuck on trains + taxi to my front door. I had a huge heavy suitcase, and two carry on bags. It was not the prettiest sight. Shout out to the kind man who helped me lift my bag up a flight of stairs. The escalator wasn't running. #NewYorkLife am I right? I woke up this morning slightly sore and excited to tell you all about Friday night. The launch of Collection N Twelve in Toronto. For the first time my family and friends got to see what I've been working hours and sleepless nights on here in New York. But - before I get to the party stuff, I wanted to take a second to talk about Friday. The attacks on not just Paris, but the rest of the world. Isis scares the shit out of me, I'll admit it. Even writing the word "Isis" makes me feel weird. It's like a living Voldemort from Harry Potter. Isis killed just about 129 people on Friday night in Paris, and 43 people in Beirut. In Syria, people see this number of deaths every day. With blood on both sides Syrian people are running, but now with no where to go as borders are closing. Rightfully so, the terrorists are fleeing with them. Which just makes things so much more complicated. There are people out there risking themselves and their families for a better life just to get stopped and told to turn around. I've been reading essay after essay on this issue, and still feel extremely naive to speak publicly on my perspective. So I pray for those in charge to make the best decisions, I pray for Paris, for Beirut and for all the Provinces Isis has declared. I don't know about you but I can't read anymore on this. It's too real and scary, although #WeAreNotAfraid.

// HAPPY LAUNCH PARTY DAY

// Location: Love The Design

It's here!! The launch of Collection N Twelve in Toronto! I have a full day ahead of me of picking up easels, and flowers, and wine, and glasses and decorating the store, at some point I really need to get my nails done - but I wouldn't have it any other way [also I have the luxury of my Jeep, screw you New York subways]. It's going to be a fabulous night. If you're around from 5-8 pm tonight come by 1226 Yonge Street - Love The Design! Shoot me an email candicekaye@candicekayedesign.com so I can get you on the list. Hope to see you there! I have fabulous Marlee Maclean as our photographer tonight, can't wait to show you the photos of the event Monday! x -C 

// RESORT LIFE

// Location: Hardrock - Punta Cana

I just landed in Toronto and it's freezing and uncomfortable. Mostly because I thought it was a good idea to travel in sandals. It's not a good idea. Ever. It's been a while since I did an all inclusive, six to seven years long time. My favourite part about the week [besides the wedding of course] were the easy-slip-on-whatever-you want outfits. Big hoops, red lips, high heels, white and black leopard pants - all acceptable. No noisy subways, or taxis, the warm nights let you wear whatever you wanted, with the exception of frizzy hair that - that was my only option.

Although I couldn't fully unplug from work [we just launched the shop] it did feel nice to lay in the sun and day dream about all the new things I can't wait to be doing in the new year but now back to reality I need to focus on the right now. Likeeee the launch party tomorrow at Love The Design. I'm so excited to 1. Celebrate in my own city, and 2. Celebrate in my own city. It's going to be a good time. I really hope to see you there! It's bed time for CK. Talk tomorrow x -C

// #GIRLBOSS

//

Sophia is the mastermind behind Nasty Gal. She started from Ebay and from there found herself in a multi million dollar company. Her street smart personality is what sucked me in. I love reading about an entrepreneur who threw out the business plan, didn't worry about investors, and just did. She started small, and worked her way up. If you're in the mood for an inspiring read about work/life/success I highly recommend it. I've personally had many people in my life tell me my ideas were crazy. I've also been told I work too much, talk about myself too much, and for that reason no one would want to be around me. I actually just laughed out loud writing that because it's absolutely ridiculous. Chasing dreams will work you like a dog. And that's a fact. I don't think I'm at the point in my career where I can say "look at me now", but I've definitely come a long way from my blog writing days in Toronto. In the words of Sophia Amoruso, "Fortune favors the bold who get shit done". 

It's Wednesday which means there are new horoscope up! Read read read. x -C

// HOLA

// Location: Punta Cana

So I think it hit me. Headache, sore body, and sleepy eyes. I've caught the go-go-go-stop syndrome. I get it often when I'm at home in Canada for a weekend, but Punta Cana operates on one level - very slow. The first couple days of being here I didn't know what it felt like to just sit and relax, as in I totally forgot what it felt like. At the moment - it's currently 8:40 am - I feel like I've got run over by a train and all I want to do is sleep until I feel better. Which is most likely what I need. I'll sleep on the beach. Problem solved. Anyway back to the reason we are all here, Britt and Evan's wedding. Aside from the fact that the bride and groom got rained on by a typhoon [literally, the poor bride was drenched] they bounced back with new outfits, and threw the most incredible party. Our Brittany Rapp is now a Mrs. Blainey and I couldn't be more happy for her. I hope you're enjoying the week [throws on her beach coverup] x -C

// BLUE SKIES

// 

Good morning from Punta Cana! This is my view for the next 7 days. The weather is beautiful, the drinks are free, and there's a casino. Oh, and my best friend gets married in two days!! It feels good to have everyone back together again. Alright, time to get some breakfast. Happy Friday! x -C

// LOVE MY WEDNESDAYS

// Good morning 

I'm back in my dream world. Just me myself my favourite new tumblr and coffee #2. It's Wednesday, also known as my favourite day of the week [besides TGIF Friday, and Saturday morning, and lazy Sunday football 11 am wake up morning] because it's Horoscope day. Psychics, horoscopes, tarot cards [confession: I have a deck of my own] I'm all over them. It's not about knowing the future that gets me excited [I'm a believer in you make your own density through choices and action], it's the 'magic' of getting a little insight into something that hasn't happened yet. The unseen universe that graciously, or ungraciously place things in front of you that just 'happen' to help you get to the next place you need to be. It's my own little magic [that and Collection N Twelve]. Sitting in bed with breakfast and a book in Paris while looking like Cindy Crawford is pretty f'in magical too. 

// BACK TO MY ROOTS

// Location: Love The Design

Hey!! Happy Wednesday. Is it me or did Wednesday come real fast. If you didn't hear the news from Monday morning, we launched our shop! Collection N Twelve has been transformed into gift wrap for the holidays, and they just look so delightful all wrapped up - if I do say so myself. Setting up the shoot, taking photos and editing them brought me back to my photography years. How I missed them. ANYWAYS, I'm taking off for the next week and a half. I have my computer [I'll still be working], my camera [which I'm stoked about] and a couple of bathing suits. Brittany is getting married in the Dominican and Candice Kaye Design is in deep need of a vacation around best friends. It's been two years of straight hustle with zero vacation. And not traveling for that long is just not in my DNA. I'll be snappin' away throughout the week if you dare to follow along [ckayedesign], as well as saying good morning on here from my hotel room... I just rambled on for a paragraph about stuff that wasn't the topic that I wanted to talk about. The photo above is an invitation to an exclusive presentation of Collection N Twelve at Love The Design in TORONTO! Yes, I'll be home for the weekend once fairytale life in Dominican is over. I thought I would take full advantage of my weekend, team up with the best store in Toronto and invite all my Toronto peeps to see what I've been working so hard on here in New York. RSVP is now open, email me at candicekaye@candicekayedesign.com if you're interested in coming! I would love to meet/see you. xx -C

// HALLOWEEN WEEKEND

If you follow me along on snapchat [ckayedesign], you would have witnessed Dan in his Big Bad Wolf-dressed-up-as-granny costume. Firstly sorry you had to experience such sight, and HOW hilarious did he look! We were up in Connecticut trick-or-treating with these beautiful views. I felt like a little kid again and it was glorious :) I hope you had a very scary Halloween! x -C